March 21, 2017

You know, in the category of products I didn't have that much knowledge about and rarely used, highlighters were at the top of the list. I just wasn't sure why I needed them. But NARS' new Banc De Sable Highlighter Palette is awesome. Seriously, seriously great. And now I'm totally on board the highlighter train! The $49 palette (I know it's kinda steep, but you can pretty much make do with only this one palette unless you want to become a highlighting guru, so it's worth the investment) contains three shades - Rivage (a glistening pearl), Salé (a shimmering peach champagne) and Embruns (a metallic rose gold). I'm obsessed with rose gold everything right now - I even just had a rinse that shade added to my blonde color, but as much as I like it, it's already fading after a week so it's going to be hard to justify the extra expense next time. Damn you, hair!) The colors themselves are so pretty, but what really sets this palette apart is that you can use them dry OR wet. Dry gives you a little bit of shimmer, wet gives you SHIMMER. It's really nice because you can choose how much you want to glow, which is, after all, the point of a highlighter to begin with. I like using Rivage on my brow bone and at the top of my cheekbones and it's the perfect shade for that. Emrbruns is so pretty I almost want to wear it as a shadow. Just gorgeous. Overall, this is one of the first highlighting palettes that made me say, "Ohhhhh, I get why people do this now." And for someone with as much makeup as me, that's a fabulous achievement!

P.S. I'm also completely obsessed with their Asphalt Jungle Lip Gloss. It's described as a "shimmering sangria" and it's sooooo pretty. I kind of think about it as sort of a plummy bronze myself, but either way, it sparkles and shimmers and looks great in the tube and even more amazing on. It's a limited-edition so it's probably going to vanish soon, but you can still get it online and in some stores, so get thee to a NARS counter soon. Totally worth the trip.

Note: A sample of this product was sent to me by a PR representative working with NARS

August 18, 2016

This is kind of an update on a post from earlier this month. So I totally broke down and bought one of the NARS Hardwired Eyeshadows, despite the fact that I realllllly shouldn't be spending money right now on non-necessities. (Is eyeshadow really not a necessity though? I feel like I could prove it is in a court of law, if it came to that). I kept visiting them at Sephora and I finally just broke down and bought one because well, I think they're limited edition and they're SO pretty and I just needed at least one in case they all go away. Surprisingly, once I put a couple on at the store, Stud (a soft Pewter Bronze) was the clear winner of the shades in that color family. (I'd already decided that was the way I was going). I "almost" bought Parallex (a metallic dove grey), but as much as I love it (and it would be the next one I buy, if that ever happens) I felt like I had a few shadows that were really similar. But Stud is just flat out gorgeous on - it shimmers and sparkles and makes my green eyes look even greener - and I just couldn't pass it up. I feel like I'll wear it a ton, especially after playing around with it and seeing how I can make it subtle or more dramatic for a smoky eye. It's just all around fabulous. Highly, highly recommend picking this one up (all of them, really). Nice work, NARS!

August 04, 2016

Ohhh, I want this eyeshadow badly. Very, very badly. I walked into Sephora today and they had the new NARS Hardwired Eyeshadows out on display. There are six shades in the collection:

Outer Limits - Iridescent Rose Gold

Stud - Soft Pewter Bronze

Earthshine - Iridescent Pink Lilac

Lunar - Soft Iridescent Violet

Parallax - Metallic Dove Grey

Pygar - Gold lamé (above)

They are seriously all so gorgeous. I love metallic eyeshadows and NARS has created six beauties here. My eyes were instantly drawn to Pygar the most though. It's just stunning. (And with my green eyes, I think it would be the perfect shade to wear out at night). I just couldn't walk away from the display, and I'd even made my peace with spending the $25 on it (seriously, NARS, I love you, but I realllly wish you were cheaper) but alas, it was not meant to be because they were completely sold out of that shade. But I'm definitely going to be stopping back in and checking again because I'm obsessed with it. Sooooo beautiful. How far off is Christmas again??

April 28, 2015

Oooh, Nars your Satin Lip Pencil is so ridiculously creamy it almost feels like a buttery lipstick. The colors are stunning (14 shades currently) and they go on so smooth it feels like you're wearing nothing at all on your lips. I am surprised at the amazing staying power, especially considering how moisturizing it is. Oh, and the fact it's a pencil that doesn't drag and pull my lips when I apply it - incredible!! Thank you Nars for being the mastermind behind this killer lip product - you're rapidly depleting my bank account because of it!

January 27, 2014

The NARSissist Cheek Kit by NARS is the perfect day Valentine's Day companion! I love the idea you can pop this little badboy into your purse (with mini brush, of course) and you're ready to handle touch-ups on date night. I just ordered it for myself as I think it's perfection to add on-the-go color when I'm hopping from meeting to meeting during the workday (y'know, the terrifying skip from valley to west side and back again). Set contains: - Highlighting Blush in Devotee (luminous alabaster sheen), Blush in Orgasm (peachy pink with gold shimmer), Bronzer in Laguna (diffused brown powder with golden shimmer) and Travel blush brush. Retails for $49.00

August 14, 2013

I need another blush less than I need anything (except maybe more lipstick) but how adorable is this new NARS blush palette? Must. Have. Immediately. It comes in two different shades (the one above is called Realm of the Senses) and they're both gorgeous. They're kind of pricey at $41, but that's about par for the course for NARS, so it shouldn't surprise anyone. Realm of the Senses has three shades in it - a flirty, sheer peach, a shimmering bronzed rose and a sparkling gold sand. LOVE!

July 22, 2013

Oooh, these are seriously so so pretty - I can't wait to see them in person! Starting August 1st Sephora will be carrying two exclusive NARS blush palettes and I, for one, will be there immediately to pick one up. Yeah, 41.00 seems like a hefty pricetag but if you're anything like I am (declare NARS blushes to be the very best), you'll shell out the dough for sure. Check out both at Sephora and Sephora.com 8/1.

November 26, 2012

NARS is one of my favorite brands, but let's face it, it's kinda pricey. So anytime you can get some help with that, it's well worth placing an order. Through tomorrow, you can save 20% off your purchase at narscosmetics.com by using the code NARSFF2012 when you're checking out. Happy Cyber Monday!

October 22, 2012

Saturday afternoon, I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek at the new NARS Melrose Boutique. It's an amazing space that was designed by Francois Nars himself - very minimalist chic with its mainly white, black and red color scheme - and it has a ton of cool features, including a 200 square foot private room for special events and VIP guests and six permanent makeup stations with boutique makeup artists that were personally trained by Francois himself. The boutique even has a window display that features NARS stylized films that will be projected onto Melrose Avenue at night (super cool, right?) We even got a chance to meet Francois himself, which was a big thrill. I'm going to tuck away the limited edition Andy Warhol shadow palette he signed for me to make sure nothing ever messes it up.

And speaking of Andy Warhol... These are two of the displays set up in the new boutique and let me just say, the products are beautiful. I want every single one of them. I've tried a few and love them all. If you're on the lookout for a good bright orange/red gloss (and who isn't, really?) take a look at Hollywoodlawn. It's definitely a "look at me" shade, but sometimes, that's exactly what you want to have one. I also tried the Soft Touch Shadow Pencil in Silver Factory. So fun! It's an almost metallic looking silver that I've been using to line my eyes with for a funky look that isn't too out there. I love using silver and grays to accent my green eyes and this one's really easy to play around with.

The final piece I've tried is the 47th Street Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner. You guys, I LOVE this one. It's a black liner with silver shimmer. Not only is it it gorgeous on its own, it looks fantastic paired with the Silver Factory Shadow Pencil. As always, I'm obsessed with creating the perfect smoky eye for going out at night and 47th Street really helps get the job done.

The new NARS 8412 Melrose Boutique is open now. It's located at 8412 Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles (obviously!). For more info, call them at (310) 623-1730.

Note: Samples of these products were sent to me by a PR representative working with NARS

October 15, 2012

I'm sorry, these palettes are so so cool! Yeah, definitely pricey but I adore the poppies shape (thank you, Andy Warhol) and the colors look stunning. Each palette was made especially for Sephora and features (aside from the beautiful shadows) a Warhol quote etched into the mirror - "If you can convince yourself that you look fabulous, you can save
yourself the trouble of primping." (Flowers 1); "You need to let the
little things that would ordinarily bore you suddenly thrill you."
(Flowers 2); "All is pretty." (Flowers 3) I think I need all three!